China Uganda Relations Enhanced As Busoga Establishes Bilateral Relations With Liaoning Province

On Tuesday 9^th July 2024, the Chinese City of Guangzhou was a centre of attention as over 400 African leaders from 46 Countries and Chinese leaders assembled in China for the 5^th Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation (FCALGC) to reflect on the China Africa cooperation and draw lessons for deepening cooperation through fostering Local Governments’ cooperation.

At the Forum, the Uganda delegation was led by the 3^rd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nakadama Rukia Isanga and His Royal Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV. Other leaders who graced the Forum included the Vice Premier of the State Council of China H.E Liu Guozhong, Prime Minister of Madagascar H.E Ntasy Christian, the Minister of State for Housing of Uganda Hon. Princess Persis Namuganza, the Chairperson of the Uganda Local Government Commission Hon. Isaac Musumba, the Governor of the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) and District Chairperson Luuka Local Government Mr. Simon Wakaze, 1^st Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom Owek Prof. Dr. Lubega Muhammad, Hon Kisa Stephen MP Luuka South, the Director General BCD Mr. Mula Anthony, Mr. Genda Walala Director Local Government Inspection at MoLG, Mr. Gabula Ezera LCV Chairman Iganga District, among others.

The Forum which was hosted by the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Guangdong provincial leadership was held on theme “working together for high-level China-Africa community with a shared future”.

While addressing the Forum, Uganda’s 3^rd Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nakadama conveyed the gratitude of His Excellency Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the entire Uganda Government to China for the sustained genuine friendship which she said had continued to grow from strength to strength over the years. She noted that East Africa’s relations with China can be tracked as early as 1949 shortly after the Communist victory against imperialism.

In an effort to further underscore the long standing history of the China Africa cooperation, Nakadama narrated China’s role in the liberation of Africa way back in the 1940’s at a time when even China was still economically under developed with an approximate GDP per capita of $947 USD but committed to helping Africa.

She thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government for the support extended to Uganda during the NAM Summit and the G77 plus China Summit held in Kampala in January 2024. She further emphasized Uganda’s commitment to working together with China in the advancement of the Global Development Initiatives, the Global Security Initiatives and the Global Security Initiatives to steer Uganda and Africa to timely achievement of the SDGs.

As part of the framework for deepening cooperation between Africa and China through twining of Local Governments, Chinese and African leaders who graced the Forum witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Uganda’s Busoga Consortium for Development/Province and Liaoning Province of China. The established provincial bilateral relations will focus on promotion of common prosperity and development with focus on economy, trade and investment promotion, science and technology, cultural exchanges, education and sports, health, among others.

According to the Chinese Bureau of Statistics report 2022, Liaoning Province was reported with a population of approximately 42 Million people, a GDP of $430.77 Billion USD, GDP Per Capita is $9,495.9 USD, Total Trade Volumes $117.56 Billion USD and Value of Exports $53.29 Billion USD.

Prior to arriving in Guangzhou City for the 5^th Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation, His Royal Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom William Gabula Nadiope IV and the 3^rd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nakadama Rukia Isanga led the Busoga delegation for a 3 days official visit to Liaoning Province on the invitation of the Governor of the Province His Excellency Li Lecheng. While in Liaoning Province, the delegation toured some of the major historical traditional cultural establishments such as the Shenyang Imperial Palace and Industrial museums, educational institutions like Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the headquarters of Liaoning Agricultural Products Trading Corporation that signed a trading agreement for Soya beans, Corn, Sim-sim and cassava with the Busoga Consortium in November 2023, and also visited wellhope foods company for agricultural products processing.

The delegation also held bilateral discussions with the Party Secretary of Liaoning Provincial Committee of CPC and Chairman of Liaoning People’s Congress Mr. Hao Peng. The leaders of both provinces agreed to mutually work together to develop their provinces and guide the transformation of their people to prosperity.

While meeting the leadership of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, His Royal Highness Kyabazinga offered land to the Government of Liaoning to set up what would be the 1^st therapy centre and Hospital for Traditional Medicine in East Africa. Consensus was also reached with Liaoning Agricultural Products Corporation Ltd for start of export of Sim-Sim to the Chinese market by Busoga and Uganda at large, cooperation with the Liaoning Bureau of Culture support towards conservation, management and marketing of cultural establishments was also proposed.

The Uganda-Busoga delegation was officially flagged off by Vice President of Uganda H.E Maj. Rtd. Jessica Alupo on 28^th June 2024, departed for China on 3^rd July and is set to return to Uganda on the 12^th July 2024 following completion of its official visit.